Stroke is a situation that, contrary to popular belief, can be recovered from with the help of appropriate medical treatment and post-medical rehabilitation programmes. Taking care of stroke patients and catering to their requirements entail a long-term commitment. As a caregiver for stroke survivors, you must be cautious while dealing with the patients by keeping in mind some of the most important tips of caregiving.
- Educate yourself on the topic of stroke: Learn about the disease from experts and doctors. It is important to know your subject matter while dealing with a survivor so that care is provided as required.
- Take part in the rehabilitation programmes: Post-medical rehabilitation plays a vital role on the road to recovery. Be present and to understand more about stroke and the ways of dealing with the survivor.
- Know about the risk factors for a relapse: Make sure that you know the risk factors and precautions of the already suffered and survived attack.
- Seek outside help and support if required: It is not possible for one to look after everything and at the same time make sure that things are perfectly in place. There are a number of services available like, adult day care and night care, and special transportation, to stroke patients and their caregivers, which make life easier and well balanced for everyone.
- Be prepared for changes in the moods and behaviour of the stroke survivor: Post-stroke situations are unpredictable at times. Due to weakness and limited accessibility, patients may have mood swings that must be dealt with effectively by the caregivers.
- Encourage the stroke survivor to be independent as much as possible: This is important so that the survivor can regain self-confidence and is able to carry out regular activities.
- Learn the art of being patient: Taking care of stroke patients requires a rigorous everyday routine that lasts for quite some time. One must be patient and gentle to deal with such patients, for a smooth recovery.
- Take care of the dietary requirements of the stroke survivor: Make sure that a well-balanced meal is being served so that the body receives the essential nutrients for quick recovery.
- Be realistic and remember that recovery from stroke is not a short-term phenomenon: As a caregiver, you must spend quality time with the survivor and be positive about the outcome.
Caregiving after a stroke attack can be quite taxing for the caregiver. This is the period during which both the survivor and the caregiver come together to work on the path to recovery. It is important for both to cooperate and be confident about the successful recovery. A caregiver must, however, follow some tips to ensure that a healthy situation prevails and helps the survivor regain independence.